Hazard lamps

ABSTRACT

An electrical hazard lamp is provided which includes a body member serving as a head member for a multilegged stand and also as a protective cover above a battery. The head member includes an upper wall and a peripheral downwardly extending flange which collectively define a shallow chamber having an open mouth presented downwardly to receive the upper end of a battery supported from the head member. Leg-receiving sockets are formed in the peripheral flange and legs are releasably secured in these sockets by screws. Alternatively, the legs are irremovably secured in their sockets by rivets arranged to permit the legs to pivot between splayed and compact positions. In the latter arrangement a battery case is releasably attached beneath the head member, the battery case having an outwardly projecting flange which is arranged to constrain the legs releasably in their splayed positions.

United States Patent Alan Graham Gibson Burton-on-Trent, England [2]]Appl. No. 765,127

[72] inventor [54] HAZARD LAMPS 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 240/2 R, 240/10.6 R, 240/53 [51] Int. Cl F2lv 5/00 [50]Field of Search 240/2.l8, 2

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,885,539 5/1959 McDermott240/53 2,918,668 12/1959 Stube 240/10.6 3,135,468 6/1964 Osburn 240/10.6 3,415,476 12/1968 McDermott 240/81 Primary Examiner-John M. HoranAssi-ytanr Examiner-T. A. Mauro Allorney john Harrow Leonard ABSTRACT:An electrical hazard lamp is provided which includes a body memberserving as a head member for a multilegged stand and also as aprotective cover above a battery. The head member includes an upper walland a peripheral downwardly extending flange which collectively define asha1 low chamber having an open mouth presented downwardly to receivethe upper end of a battery supported from the head member. Leg-receivingsockets are formed in the peripheral flange and legs are releasablysecured in these sockets by screws. Alternatively, the legs areirremovably secured in their sockets by rivets arranged to permit thelegs to pivot between splayed and compact positions. in the latterarrangement a battery case is releasably attached beneath the headmember, the battery case having an outwardly projecting flange which isarranged to constrain the legs releasably in their splayed positions.

PATENTED SEP14I97| 3, 04,914

sum u or 5 PATENTEDSEPMIQYI 3.604.914

SHEU 5 0F 5 fan/:2 /43 HAZARD LAMPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fieldof the Invention This invention relates to lamps of the kind adapted foruse to indicate the existence of a hazard such as may exist at the siteof roadworks, buildings in the course of construction or repair, orother civil engineering works, as well as other sites at which a hazardexists for those approaching the site, for example where road accidentshave occurred or vehicles or other objects are stationed on or adjacentto a road or other path of travel.

2. Description of the Prior Art The present invention is morespecifically concerned with lamps of the kind (hereinafter referred toas the kind specified) comprising a body, a lamp housing formed at leastpartially of light transparent material and mounted on the body, anelectrically energized light source within the housing, means forsupporting a battery of electrical cells at a battery station, circuitmeans for establishing electrical connection between the battery and thelight source and means for supporting the lamp above the ground.

Hitherto, the means for supporting a lamp above the ground has compriseda stand which is structurally separate from the lamp. Such a standcomprises a plurality of legs secured at their upper ends to aconnecting member which is provided on its upper surface with a lug orattachment member adapted to permit the body of the lamp to be securedto the upper end of the stand.

Whilst this form of construction satisfactorily effects the purpose ofraising the lamp housing to the required height, it materially increasesthe cost of the article as a whole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the objects of the present invention isto provide an improved construction of hazard lamp of the kind specifiedwhich can be produced more economically.

With this object in view, and according to a first aspect of theinvention, we provide a hazard lamp of the kind specified wherein themeans for supporting the lamp above the ground comprises a plurality oflegs structurally separate from each other and wherein the body includesa head member extending over the battery station and having a pluralityof legreceiving formations spaced-apart peripherally of said head memberaround the battery station and wherein a plurality of fastening meansare provided for upper end portion of said legs in respective receivingformations, whereby said head member serves both effectively to connectsaid legs to each other and to provide weather protection above saidbattery station.

It is desirable that it should be possible to detach the legs or toretract them from positions in which they are splayed to form a stablesupport for the lamp to a more compact arrangement to facilitate thetransport or storage of the lamp.

With this object in view and according to a second aspect of theinvention we provide a lamp of the kind specified wherein the fasteningmeans and the leg-receiving formations provide for movement of the legsbetween splayed positions and compact positions and wherein the bodyincludes a leg control element which may cooperate with the fasteningmeans and the leg-receiving formations for rigidly restraining the legsin their splayed positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which theseveral aspects of the invention are illustrated in four embodiments andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation and partly in cross section on theline 1-1 of FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of a hazard lamp in accordancewith the invention, with a battery being shown in separated relationfrom the lamp,

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the same embodiment partly incross section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with a battery in assembledrelation with the lamp,

FIG. 3 is an underside plan view of the same embodiment the battery andcircuit plate being removed,

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of a second embodiment of theinvention utilizing a lamp housing, the head member and leg assemblycommon to the first embodiment but provided with a casing for enclosinga battery not equipped with its own protective casing,

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of a third embodiment of hazard lampin accordance with the invention utilizing a lamp housing and headmember common to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 and shown mounted on atrestle by means of a bracket,

FIG. 6 is an inverted plan view partly in section of a fourth embodimentof hazard lamp in accordance with the invention provided with a casingfor enclosing a battery and also with a leg control element, and

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the electrical circuit employed in eachembodiment described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring firstly to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to3, the hazard lamp comprises a lamp housing 10 formed as a molding froma translucent material preferably of amber color and including domed orpart-spherical front and rear walls 1 l and 12 united by a peripheralwall 13 incorporating a flange 14 and attachment spigot 15 at its lowerend.

At its upper end the peripheral wall incorporates lugs 16 with which isassembled a U-shaped handle 17 beneath which the peripheral wallincorporates visor portions 18.

The front and rear walls 1 1 and 12 are formed as lenses and mayincorporate at their exterior surfaces concentric ribs and at theirouter surfaces vertical horizontal rows of locally domed projections, asindicated particularly at and 12a.

Any suitable translucent material may be employed such as a syntheticresin or glass.

The lamp housing is mounted at the upper side of a body 19 which, in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, consists of a head member havingan apertured top wall 20 through which the spigot 15 extends. The latterhas bayonet slots 21 for cooperation with tongues 22 of a retaining ring23 secured to the top wall by screws 24 engaging in threaded holes inthe top wall. A sealing washer 25 of rubber is provided between the baseof the spigot and the upper side of the top wall 20.

As viewed in plan the head member is of generally rectangular form asseen in FIG. 3 and an approximately triangular portion 26 thereof israised relatively to the remainder 27 of the top wall to which thetriangular portion is connected by a step 28.

At its periphery the head member includes a downwardly extendingintegral flange, the lower edge of which projects outwardly along partof its periphery as indicated at 30 to form horizontal webs.

The top wall portions 26, 27 and step 28 in combination with theperipheral flange 29 form a shallow chamber having its open sidepresented downwardly and within which is disposed a circuit plate 31which as shown is made of electrically insulating material and on whichis mounted centrally an upwardly projecting sleevelike member 32carrying a lampholder at its upper end for reception of an electric lampbulb 33. The sleevelike member 32 includes a flasher unit. The flasherdevice may be of a known type, for example including a switch operatedby a thermomotive device such as a bimetal strip heated electrically incoordination with closure and opening of the switch means.

Alternatively the flasher device comprises switch means and anelectromagnetic operating device.

The circuit plate 31 is secured in assembled relation with the headmember as shown at a position intermediate the lower edge and the topwall of the head member by means of fastening elements such as screws33, preferably of the kind incorporating hexagonal recesses in theirheads since these are less exposed to risk of removal by unauthorizedpersons.

The circuit plate 31 carries electrical conductors incorporated in thecircuit shown in FIG. 7 presenting apertures in aligned relation withthe apertures 34 in the circuit plate.

It will be evident from FIG. 1 that the circuit plate divides thechamber afforded by the head member into an upper portion containingelements of the circuit of FIG. 7 as hereinafter described, and a lowerportion open at its underside and in which the upper end portion of abattery 35 is received.

The battery 35 may be provided externally with its own protective casingof sheet metal and has externally screwthreaded posts 37 insertablethrough the apertures 34 and provided with terminal nuts 38 by means ofwhich the battery can be held against the underside of the circuitplate, as seen particularly in FIG. 2.

The body is raised above the ground by legs 39. These are assembled withthe head member by reception of their upper ends in formations 40situated respectively at two adjacent corners of the top wall of thebody member and midway along the opposing side face, as seen in FIG. 3,wherein it will also be noted that the legs are spaced angularly atapproximately equal intervals.

The formations 40, as shown, are preferably in the form of socketsintegrally connected with the top wall portion, the step portion 28 andthe flange, and each socket is approximately U-shape in horizontal crosssection presenting its open side towards the center of the head member.

The legs, which are conveniently formed of tubular material, e.g. mildsteel or possibly aluminum, are of a diameter to be a close fit in thesocket and therefore, intrinsically are constrained against angularmovement relative to the head member.

Moreover they are secured in their respective sockets by releasablefastening elements in the form of screws 41 and nuts 42. The heads ofthe screws are preferably devoid of any slot or recess and the nuts 42are only accessible upon removal of the battery 35, so that the presenceof the latter is a safeguard against unauthorized removal of the legs.

The head member thus performs the combined function of firstly amounting means for the circuit plate which carries the flasher unit andlamp bulb, as well for as the lamp housing, and for the battery, andsecondly a head member for the stand constituted in part by the legs.

The legs 39 may, if desired, be irremovably secured in their sockets.They may each incorporated relatively movable leg portions, for exampletelescopically slidable sections capable of being secured in one or moreextended positions or collapsed if required for compactness in storageor transport.

The circuit plate may serve also as a' mounting for switch means 43.This may comprise a bracket 44 forming a fixed contact and a furtherbracket 45 carrying a screw 46 forming a movable contact both connectedelectrically in that part of the circuit of FIG. 7 carried by thecircuit plate. Such screw may be operated to open and close the switchthrough a small diameter hole (not seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 but seen in FIG.4 at 460).

A key having an end conforming to a hexagonal recess in the head of thescrew may be provided for operation of the switch means.

In the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 parts corresponding tothose already described are designated by like numerals of reference andthe preceding description is to be deemed to apply.

In this case however, the battery is not provided with its ownprotective casing and consequently the body of the lamp includes afurther component, namely a casing 47 open at its upper side to receivethe battery, the terminal posts 37 whereof are seen projecting. Thecasing 47 includes integral laterally projecting lugs 48 apertured toreceive securing screws 49 projecting downwardly through openings in theweb 30, as seen particularly at 30a (FIG. 3).

It will be evident that economy is effected in that the components ofthe embodiment of FIG. 4, other than the casing 47 and screws 49, arecommon to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 parts corresponding to thosealready described are designated by like numerals of reference and thepreceding description is to be deemed to ap ly.

l n this case the legs 39 are omitted and the body is mounted on atrestle 50 such as that commonly utilized as a barrier at the site ofroadworks or other civil engineering works. The web 30 extending betweenthe two sockets 40 situated at the corners of the head member is formedcentrally of its length with a female part in the form of a boss 30 bapertured to permit of upward projection therethrough of a male part inthe form of a spigot 51 on a bracket arm 52 which can be secured byscrews such as 53 to the top face of the upper horizontal member 54 ofthe trestle. The upper end of the spigot 51 preferably has a transversehole to permit of the hasp of a padlock 55 being passed therethrough asa means for securing the lamp against unauthorized removal from thebracket.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 parts corresponding to thosealready described are designated by like numerals of reference.

The head member 19 is of generally circular form when viewed in plan.The leg-receiving formations 40 are formed integrally with the headmember and are disposed with approximately equal intervals at theperiphery thereof.

The upper end of each of legs 39a and 39b is fastened to a respectiveleg-receiving formation 40 by a rivet 60 which passes through anaperture in a first sidewall of the formation 40, through diametricallyopposed apertures in the leg and through a corresponding aperture in asecond sidewall of the formation 40. The diameter of the aperture in thelegs is sufficiently greater than the diameter of the rivets 60 topermit the free rotation of each leg about a horizontal axis defined bythe longitudinal axis of its associated rivet.

A battery case 47a of generally cylindrical form, closed at its lowerend and open at its upper end is provided with a leg control element inthe form of a flange 61 which projects laterally from the major part ofthe upper end of the battery case 47a. The several portions of theflange 61 are separated from each other by generally semicircularnotches 62. The angular spacing of these notches around the battery casecorresponds with the angular spacing of the leg-receiving formations 40around the head member.

The flange 61 is provided with two screw-threaded apertures disposed onthe same diameter of the battery case which cooperate with screws 63releasably to fasten the battery case 47 to the head member. Heads ofscrews 63 abut the upper face of the head member and the shanks thereofextend downwardly through unthreaded apertures in the head member whichcorrespond with the screw-threaded apertures in the flange 61. By thismeans the battery case may be selectively fastened in either a first ora second position to the head member. The orientation of the batterycase with respect to the head member differs by in the two positions.

In the first position of the battery case the continuous portions of theflange 61 engage the legs 39a and 39b below the rivets 60 and restrainthe legs in splayed positions such as is indicated at 390.

In the second position of the battery case the notches 62 are situatedadjacent to the leg-receiving formations 40 and the legs may assumecompact positions such as is indicated at 39b.

A circuit plate 31 which supports on its upper side a flasher unit and alamp bulb is disposed centrally of the underside of the head member.Contact plates 64 are provided on the underside of the circuit plate toenable electrical connection to be established between the flasher unit,bulb and the terminals of a battery which is supported in the batterycase when the latter is fastened to the head member.

The circuit shown in FIG. 7 is common to all of the embodimentsdescribed herein. The circuit comprises a battery indicated at 35, aswitch 43, a bulb 33, and a flasher unit connected in series with eachother.

lclaim:

1. In a hazard lamp comprising a body, a lamp housing formed at leastpartially of light transparent material and mounted on the body, andelectrically energized light source disposed within the housing, meansfor supporting a battery of electrical cells at a battery station,circuit means for establishing electrical connection between the batteryand the light source, and means for supporting the lamp above theground, the improvement wherein:

a. said means for supporting the lamp above the ground comprises legs;

b. said body comprises a head member in the form of a cover extendingover said battery station;

0. fastening means connected to the cover and spaced apart from eachother peripherally of said head member around said battery station forfastening said legs to the cover whereby said head member serves botheffectively to fasten said legs in supporting relation thereto and toprovide weather protection above said battery station;

d. the head member includes a top wall and an integral downwardlyextending peripheral flange defining a chamber having a downwardlypresented opening;

e. means are provided for supporting the battery with its upper endportion in said chamber for cooperation between a part of said circuitmeans within said chamber and terminals of said battery;

f. a plate member for supporting at least part of said circuit means isprovided;

g. said plate member being mounted in downwardly spaced parallelrelation to said top wall and upwardly of the lower edge of saiddownwardly extending peripheral flange to define upper and lowerportions of said chamber;

h. said upper end portion of said battery being received in said lowerportion of said chamber;

i. and said upper portion of said chamber containing elements of saidcircuit means.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein:

a. said legs are structurally separate from each other;

b. said fastening means provide for movement of said legs betweensplayed positions and compact positions;

c. the body includes a leg control element;

d. means are provided for securing the leg control element to the headmember selectively in either of a first and a second position;

e. said leg control element is provided with means which,

when it is secured to the head member in the first position, cooperatewith said fastening means for rigidly restraining the legs in theirsplayed position;

f. said leg control element is formed for cooperation with saidfastening means for permitting said legs to assume their compactpositions when the leg control element is in its second position.

3. Structure claimed in claim 1 wherein:

a. said fastening means comprise sockets formed integrally with saidperipheral flange and b. the means for supporting the battery comprise abattery case having an upwardly presented opening and being releasablysecured beneath the top wall of the head member by securing meansarranged for detachment of the case from the head member while the headmember and the lamp housing remain supported by the legs.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

the fastening means detachably connect the legs to the cover and abracket is provided on said peripheral flange for enabling the lamp tobe mounted on a separate support.

5. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein:

a. said head member is a one-piece member, and b. the bracket and thebody are releasably attached to each other by interfitting male andfemale parts, one on the bracket and the other being an integral part ofthe body.

6. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein:

a. the plate member has apertures therein,

b. the battery has terminals projecting through said apertures andprovided with means for holding the battery in assembled relation withsaid plate member.

7. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein:

a. the downwardly extending peripheral flange includes a generallyhorizontal step portion extending outwardly from the lower end of anupper wall portion to the upper end of a lower wall portion of saidflange,

b. said plate member is secured releasably to said step portion.

. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein:

. said top wall of said head member has an aperture,

. said housing has a spigot means open at its lower end releasablysecured in said aperture,

c. said circuit means extends from said upper portion of said chamberthrough said spigot means into said housing.

9. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein:

a. the means for supporting the battery comprises a battery case havingan upwardly presented opening,

b. the battery case is releasably secured to the underside of the headmember and projects below the head member,

c. the battery case is formed at its upper end with an outwardlyextending flange which constitutes the leg control element.

1. In a hazard lamp comprising a body, a lamp housing formed at least partially of light transparent material and mounted on the body, and electrically energized light source disposed within the housing, means for supporting a battery of electrical cells at a battery station, circuit means for establishing electrical connection between the battery and the light source, and means for supporting the lamp above the ground, the improvement wherein: a. said means for supporting the lamp above the ground comprises legs; b. said body comprises a head member in the form of a cover extending over said battery station; c. fastening means connected to the cover and spaced apart from each other peripherally of said head member around said battery station for fastening said legs to the cover whereby said head member serves both effectively to fasten said legs in supporting relation thereto and to provide weather protection above said battery station; d. the head member includes a top wall and an integral downwardly extending peripheral flange defining a chamber having a downwardly presented opening; e. means are provided for supporting the battery with its upper end portion in said chamber for cooperation between a part of said circuit means within said chamber and terminals of said battery; f. a plate member for supporting at least part of said circuit means is provided; g. said plate member being mounted in downwardly spaced parallel relation to said top wall and upwardly of the lower edge of said downwardly extending peripheral flange to define upper and lower portions of said chamber; h. said upper end portion of said battery being received in said lower portion of said chamber; i. and said upper portion of said chamber containing elements of said circuit means.
 2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein: a. said legs are structurally separate from each other; b. said fastening means provide for movement of said legs between splayed positions and compact positions; c. the body includes a leg control element; d. means are provided for securing the leg control element to the head member selectively in either of a first and a second position; e. said leg control element is provided with means which, when it is secured to the head member in the first position, cooperate with said fastening means for rigidly restraining the legs in their splayed position; f. said leg control element is formed for cooperation with said fastening means for permitting said legs to assume their compact positions when the leg control element is in its second position.
 3. Structure claimed in claim 1 wherein: a. said fastening means comprise sockets formed integrally with said peripheral flange and b. the means for supporting the battery comprise a battery case having an upwardly presented opening and being releasably secured beneath the top wall of the head member by securing means arranged for detachment of the case from the head member while the head member and the lamp housing remain supported by the legs.
 4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein: the fastening means detachably connect the legs to the cover and a bracket is provided on said peripheral flange for enabling the lamp to be mounted on a separate support.
 5. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein: a. said head member is a one-piece member, and b. the bracket and the body are releasably attached to each other by interfitting male and female parts, one on the bracket and the other being an integral part of the body.
 6. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein: a. the plate member has apertures therein, b. the battery has terminals projecting through said apertures and provided with means for holding the battery in assembled relation with said plate member.
 7. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein: a. the downwardly extending peripheral flange includes a generally horizontal step portion extending outwardly from the lower end of an upper wall portion to the upper end of a lower wall portion of said flange, b. said plate member is secured releasably to said step portion.
 8. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein: a. said top wall of said head member has an aperture, b. said housing has a spigot means open at its lower end releasably secured in said aperture, c. said circuit means extends from said upper portion of said chamber through said spigot means into said housing.
 9. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein: a. the means for supporting the battery comprises a battery case having an upwardly presented opening, b. the battery case is releasably secured to the underside of the head member and projects below the head member, c. the battery case is formed at its upper end with an outwardly extending flange which constitutes the leg control element. 